This Brazilian production was shown recently on a cable channel. It was a welcome surprise since many worthy films from that country do not arrive because of not having a local market. Written and directed with style by Heitor Dahlia. Set in the beautiful resort of Buzios, we are taken to meet what appears to be a happy family seen through the eyes of the eldest daughter. It is a dark comedy about the pains caused when the home unit falls apart in front of her eyes.
Filipa is a teen ager with two younger siblings. Their father, Mathias, is a well known writer that has taken a summer vacation with his family in order to finish his latest novel. The mother, Clarice, a beautiful woman, becomes a bit restless in their paradise home. One day Filipa, going through her father's locked drawer of his desk, discovers incriminating pictures of him with an American that is living in the vicinity. Filipa begins spying on them.
One night, at a dinner with some friends, Mathias is asked to describe the plot of the book he is working, and his explanation will help us understand the problem with his marriage. Mathias has been involved in small affairs that have come to nothing. Clarice, on the other hand, has fallen for a younger man. Filipa's world begins to collapse before her eyes. She is an unhappy girl that even with the group of friends she runs around with, feels out of place and miserable.
An older man, Lucas, sees Filipa and understands her vulnerability. Her sadness is clearly visible to an outsider who is a bit savvy about how to take advantage of the crisis Filipa is feeling. The departure of Clarice, an amiable separation, which both parents present to their three children, triggers a rebellion on Filipa who decides to go out with Lucas for a speed boat ride, an excuse for the old man to force Filipa to engage in sex with him. An almost tragic incident could have killed Filipa, who reacts on time endangering her, only to be reunited with her father that was frantic looking for her.
Heitor Dahlia gives his audience vivid characters at a time of crisis. The family that appears to lead an ideal life, is far from it. The atmosphere in which they move is conducive to the kind of promiscuity that leads to entanglements by the adults with fatal consequences on the children. One of the joys of watching the film is young Laura Neiva, an intense young woman who gives an amazing portrait of Filipa. Vincent Cassel, the French actor, makes an impression as Mathias. He seems to be at ease speaking Portuguese. Lovely Debora Bloch appears as Clarice. Camilla Belle, an American actress has a small role.
Technically, "A Deriva" is a film well crafted with the gorgeous cinematography by Ricardo Della Rosa, whose vision of Buzios blends effortlessly with the action. The musical score is by Antonio Pinto. We shall look forward to Mr. Dahlia's future work. He is a new talent that will surely do well in the future.
Filipa is a teen ager with two younger siblings. Their father, Mathias, is a well known writer that has taken a summer vacation with his family in order to finish his latest novel. The mother, Clarice, a beautiful woman, becomes a bit restless in their paradise home. One day Filipa, going through her father's locked drawer of his desk, discovers incriminating pictures of him with an American that is living in the vicinity. Filipa begins spying on them.
One night, at a dinner with some friends, Mathias is asked to describe the plot of the book he is working, and his explanation will help us understand the problem with his marriage. Mathias has been involved in small affairs that have come to nothing. Clarice, on the other hand, has fallen for a younger man. Filipa's world begins to collapse before her eyes. She is an unhappy girl that even with the group of friends she runs around with, feels out of place and miserable.
An older man, Lucas, sees Filipa and understands her vulnerability. Her sadness is clearly visible to an outsider who is a bit savvy about how to take advantage of the crisis Filipa is feeling. The departure of Clarice, an amiable separation, which both parents present to their three children, triggers a rebellion on Filipa who decides to go out with Lucas for a speed boat ride, an excuse for the old man to force Filipa to engage in sex with him. An almost tragic incident could have killed Filipa, who reacts on time endangering her, only to be reunited with her father that was frantic looking for her.
Heitor Dahlia gives his audience vivid characters at a time of crisis. The family that appears to lead an ideal life, is far from it. The atmosphere in which they move is conducive to the kind of promiscuity that leads to entanglements by the adults with fatal consequences on the children. One of the joys of watching the film is young Laura Neiva, an intense young woman who gives an amazing portrait of Filipa. Vincent Cassel, the French actor, makes an impression as Mathias. He seems to be at ease speaking Portuguese. Lovely Debora Bloch appears as Clarice. Camilla Belle, an American actress has a small role.
Technically, "A Deriva" is a film well crafted with the gorgeous cinematography by Ricardo Della Rosa, whose vision of Buzios blends effortlessly with the action. The musical score is by Antonio Pinto. We shall look forward to Mr. Dahlia's future work. He is a new talent that will surely do well in the future.